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Family seeking answers in Camden factory death
Relatives of Vincent Smith II say they waited at the gates of a Camden chocolate factory for hours Wednesday, trying to find out how their loved one had died in a mixing vat.
"I haven't had no contact with the company," said the victim's father, Vincent Smith Sr. "I have no answers and no 'I'm sorry.' "
Meanwhile, officials in Camden say the warehouse on North 36th Street is a bit of a mystery to them, too: They claim that Lyons & Sons and its affiliate, Cocoa Services, hasn't had a business license since 1996 and also may be in violation of zoning laws.
"They were zoned for cocoa-bean storage in 1996," said Camden's code-enforcement director, Iraida Afanador. "My concern is that they are obviously operating a plant."
When asked how a 17-acre property assessed at $2.9 million could go undetected by the city, Afanador said she has been in office just 18 months.
Kevin Feeley, a spokesman for Lyons & Sons, said company officials believe they have the proper paperwork and have never intended to conduct business illegally. He said the company pays property taxes, is a member of the Urban Enterprise Zone and is inspected by the city's fire department.
"We were no stranger to Camden," he said.
Vincent Smith II, 29, was loading solid chocolate bound for Hershey's candy into an 8-foot vat Wednesday morning when he fell in and was struck by "agitators" that break up and mix the chocolate as it melts, authorities said.
Feeley said company officials were trying to contact Smith's family and had grief counselors on hand yesterday for employees.
"This was a tragic accident," Feeley said. "According to co-workers, he literally stepped into the vat. They tried desperately to save him."
Vincent Smith Sr., 53, said his son had moved to Camden recently from Northumberland County, Pa., to look for work. He was on the job as a temp worker at Lyons & Sons for two weeks.
"I understand accidents happen," he said. "But did he know he was in a dangerous situation?"
